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Obituary for Dr. Roland Bryans

Passed away on October 3rd in Clarenville, Nfld. Known to many in Ontario and Newfoundland. Roly spent a successful career of nearly 40 years in Chiropractic in Clarenville Nfld. He was instrumental in forming the Nfld. Chiropractic Association as well as becoming the President of the Canadian Chiropractic Association in 1999/2000. Known in the Chiropractic world as a trailblazer he worked on numerous committees and published numerous articles.
In his personal life, Roly enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors, flying his airplane, family history and traveling to many parts of the world but most important were his wife and children. Their success and happiness was paramount to all that he did.
Roly is survived by his wife Rowena of 39 years and his children Meghann, Sara and Ian. Survived by his parents William and Jean, brothers and sisters Jerry (Debbie), Jeanie Wilkinson (Wayne), Don (Colleen), Bonnie Martin and Jim (Suzanne). He will be missed by numerous aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and many friends and colleagues.
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 20th2018 from 1- 4:00 pm at Barnes Funeral Home, 5295 Thickson Rd, Whitby, ON L1M 1W9. All are welcome to celebrate Roly’s life and remember his laughter and joviality.
Donations can be made to the “Discovery Health Care Foundation” at Dr. G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital, Clarenville, Nfld. to support families of patients in Critical and Palliative Care in memory of Dr. Roland G. (Roly) Bryans

Dear Bonnie and family my thoughts are with you at this difficult time and may the passage of time soften the harshness of your loss. Sincerely Lynn

Lynn Ross - Friday October 19, 2018 via Condolence Message

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TE

Rowena and Family... It was with heartfelt sadness that I heard of Roly's passing from Rick. Technically-speaking, I knew Roly only professionally over a half-decade, but his persona reached through this and he and I shared many candid moments discussing some of the things that he loved most: you, his children and their travails in becoming adults, the land outside of Clarenville, the cloth-covered float-plane, and chiropractic. I was honored to be one of the people he chose to provide mentorship to when needed, and to respectfully listen to when I had insights to share, whether they were on a professional or personal level. My son, who was just-born when I last saw Roly, is now 10 and well on his way to incorporating Roly's flying tales into his own ambitions to be a pilot. This includes Roly's advice when Tarquin was 4 that he should one day join the Flight Cadet League, based on Ian's experience. I and my wife Joanna will raise a glass to him and you all Saturday Oct 20th; I will long remember him as one of the 'good guys', and my thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

Thor Eglington - Thursday October 18, 2018 via Condolence Message

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DM

Dear Rowena and family; Sincerest condolences to the loss of a solid chiropractic treasure in the presence of Roly. Roly was fundamental in the creation of modern Chiropractic in Canada. He will be missed. Thank you for being his loyal and loving companion. It was difficult to imagine Roly being without his Rowena.
Dr Henri Marcoux

Dr Henri Marcoux - Tuesday October 16, 2018 via Condolence Message

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On behalf of the executive board, we extend our condolences to the Bryans family. We would like to acknowledge Roly's incredible contribution to the profession.

Dear Rowena and family, That unmistakable laugh that set the mood in a Guidelines Development Committee meeting in an instant. Roly was our fearless chairman and advocate for patients. Roly worked through thick and thin to advance evidence-based care. The GDC grew under his leadership while fostering friendships that continue to be very special. I enjoyed working with him, and I’m sharing in your sadness as we remember him. His generosity of spirit knew no bounds. As our phase of GDC work was winding down, Roly sent me a Lady of Loreto medal to give to my nephew who is now a licensed pilot through Seneca’s Bachelor of Aviation program. Roly shared with me that many air crews wore the medals under their uniforms during the first and second world wars to keep them safe. In the one-of-a-kind Roly way, he joked that it’s not Level 1 evidence supporting this intervention but we all can use a safe landing in life. I took this to heart both figuratively and literally. Roly’s heart was always in the right place. I’m not a religious or superstitious person and I know he wasn’t either though I’ll find a Loreto medal on a future trip overseas and keep it with me. A lifetime is brief and I am so lucky to have known him. With warm thoughts at this difficult time, Karin Sorra

Karin Sorra - Monday October 15, 2018 via Condolence Message

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RR

Rowena, Meghann, Sara and Ian. Deb and I have been thinking about all of you ever since Roly was first admitted to the hospital. We have so many fond memories. Our visits to Clarenville, jigging cod, Bonavista, Thorburn Lake, St. Pierre, our first house guest in Orillia - the list goes on. I'm so glad my son Scott had the chance to meet all of you and cook up some delights during your last visit to Calgary. We have become such close friends. We will be bringing all of our hugs to Oshawa on Saturday.
Rick & Debbie.

Rowena and Family Lynn and Bob Shaw extend our thoughts to you in this time of loss and in celebration. Roly and Rowena are an incredible team. They welcomed us (Bob and I) to NFLD and since then it became our favourite place in Canada to visit. The open and inviting nature of the east coast resonated with everything that Roly and Rowena did to welcome us as newcomers to the GDC. Together you not only welcomed Bob and I, you opened your hearts to the world of Chiropractic. Bob and I reflected on some of the events and pictures of the socialization that was the strength of the relationships that evolved through the ten plus years of knowing you both. The incredible work and outcomes we achieved as a truly collaborative GDC was due to the leadership and the can do approach that Roly provided to all of us. Roly was a true Canadian with a dedicated True north strong and free spirit. I will always remember how Roly supported both myself and Martin Descarreaux to take the lead to achieve our potential in all we do. - I will aspire to be the best I can do to support others to become their best. thank you so much Roly! We will miss you. By the way the picture of you at the CAOT conference defending a poster with me would only upload upside down - how fitting is that I hope it makes others laugh as you made us laugh!

Lynn Shaw - Saturday October 13, 2018 via Condolence Message

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MD

Dear Rowena and all the family,
Sandrine, Alexis and Myself are deeply saddened by the loss of Roly. I have shared memories of Roly and a glass of wine in is honor with Lynn two weeks ago. We actually shared many with Roly while we were all working on the guidelines (see the picture of Roly Mireille and Rowena).
Alexis was quite young when he met Roly; so I was trying to describe him. The first thing that came to my mind (and that was in French of course) was "he was like Santa Claus without the beard" and in fact he really was. Roly was good-hearted, dedicated, passionate and a great leader. Roly was the bearer of good news (even when they were not so good), his laughter was unique and infectious and he traveled through the world... just like Santa!
I was privileged to share such great moments and experiences with him, I will truly miss Roly.
Love,
MartinD